Hooded garment with impact protection

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hood ( 10 ) for a garment ( 1 ) comprising a plurality of resiliently deformable members ( 30 ) arranged to lie substantially around the cranium of a wearer&#39;s head ( 20 ) when the hood ( 10 ) is raised in use. The resiliently deformable members ( 30 ) are concealed from view in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hooded garment comprising impactprotection means for the head, and to a hood for use with such apparel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of protective headgear such as hard-hats, helmets and caps toprevent injury to humans is well known. Such protective headgear iscommonly worn by workers, sportspersons or the general public insituations where risk of injury to the head exists and/or wherelegislation requires. Similarly, protective headgear may be worn byinfants, disabled persons or persons with limited or underdevelopedbalance, mobility, motor control and/or risk perception, or by personshaving medical conditions whereby the head region is particularlyvulnerable to injury. An example of protective headgear suitable for usewith infants and children is shown in GB 2336761 A which discloses ahead guard comprising a plurality of resilient material bands forfitment around the head of a wearer, and releasable fixing means forretaining the head guard on said wearer's head. A drawback of this typeof protective headgear is its overt and unfashionable appearance whichdraws attention to the wearer and which may deter or discourage use ofthe particular headgear.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a garmentthat provides discreet protection for the head and neck and thatprovides an alternative to prior art protective headgear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided ahood for a garment the hood comprising a plurality of resilientlydeformable members arranged to lie substantially around the cranium of awearer's head when the hood is raised in use, the resiliently deformablemembers being concealed from view in use.

Advantageously or optionally, the resiliently deformable members may bearranged in any suitable array to substantially surround the cranium ofa wearer's head when the hood is raised in use.

Conveniently, a hood in accordance with the invention may be formedintegrally with a garment during construction, for example where thesame section or sections of material used to form the body of thegarment extend to form the hood portion of the garment, or may be aformed as a separate part that is attachable to a garment using anysuitable or known means, for example by stitching, zipping, buttoning,clipping, or by attachment by hook and loop fastener.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members may be eachaffixed directly to the inside of the hood.

In one embodiment, the hood comprises an outer layer and an inner liningsuch that the resiliently deformable members may be affixed to the hoodbetween the outer layer and inner lining of the hood.

In this way, the hood provides discreet protection from impacts to awearer's head in use.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members are in a spacedapart relationship such that the hood can be moved between a loweredposition and raised position, whereby the resiliently deformable membersnest together when the hood is lowered, and move apart to substantiallycover a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised.

Advantageously therefore, the hood also provides discreet protection toa wearer's neck when the hood is raised and more particularly when thehood is lowered.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members are maintainedwithin the hood so that relative motion between the resilientlydeformable members is limited such that the hood is maintained in apermanently raised state in use. In this way, a hood in accordance withthis embodiment is particularly suited for use with a garment forwearing by a person, for example an infant or child, whereby theperson's head is to be covered at all times while wearing the garment.

It will be appreciated that the term “outer layer” refers to theexternal, outwardly visible surface of the hood when the hood is raised,and the terms “inside of the hood” and “inner lining” refers to theinner surface of the hood which is immediately adjacent the wearer'shead when the hood is raised.

In a preferred or optional embodiment, the resiliently deformablemembers are maintained within an insert in accordance with a secondaspect of the invention, the insert being adapted for attachment to theinterior of the hood.

Conveniently, the insert may be affixed directly to the inside of thehood.

Alternatively, where the hood comprises an outer layer and an innerlining, the insert may be attached to the hood between the outer layerand inner lining of the hood.

In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the insertcomprises first and second layers of material between which theresiliently deformable members are maintained, the insert being fixableto the hood by stitching or other suitable means.

Preferably or optionally, the insert is fastened by stitching at fourlocations to the hood.

Ideally or typically, the first and second layers of the insert arefastened together to define a plurality of pockets, cells, or dividerswithin which the resiliently deformable members are maintained.

Preferably or optionally, the first and second layers of the insert areformed from a lightweight fabric.

Preferably or optionally, the fabric comprises a woven mesh fabric.Other suitable breathable fabrics can be used.

Advantageously or optionally, the fabric of the insert is arranged tosubstantially extend over the area of a wearer's cranium and ears inuse. In this way, the fabric layers provide additional protection to thewearer from abrasions or frictional forces.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members are maintained inspaced apart relationship within the insert such that the hood can bemoved between a lowered position and raised position, whereby theresiliently deformable members nest together when the hood is lowered,and move apart to substantially cover a wearer's cranium when the hoodis raised.

It will be appreciated that the term ‘nest together’ includes folding,overlapping or bunching together of the resiliently deformable memberswhen the hood is lowered.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members are arrangedwithin the insert so that relative motion between the resilientlydeformable members is limited such that the hood is maintained in apermanently raised state in use. In this way, a hood in accordance withthis embodiment is particularly suited for use with a garment forwearing by a person, for example an infant or child, whereby theperson's head is to be covered at all times while wearing the garment.

Conveniently, the insert allows ventilation between the resilientlydeformable members such that the hood may be worn raised without thewearer's head becoming uncomfortable due to heat build-up or sweating.

Preferably or optionally, the resiliently deformable members aremaintained within the insert such that they take up a generally curvedprofile which corresponds generally to the shape or curvature of awearer's cranium.

Conveniently, the resiliently deformable members may be in the form ofdiscrete elongate members or in the form of discrete patches or pads.

It will be appreciated that any suitable shape of discrete elongatemember, or any suitable shape of discrete pad, and any arrangement,array or combination thereof may be employed within a hood in order toachieve the function of substantially surrounding the head of a wearerin use and protecting or cushioning said head from impacts.

Suitable shapes of elongate member may include, but are not limited to,rectangular, planar, tubular or curved members. Similarly, suitableshapes of discrete pads may include, but are not limited to, circular,polygonal (e.g. triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonaletc.), spherical, hemispherical, or domed. It will be appreciated alsothat a number of discrete pads may be placed adjacent one another tohave the effect of an elongate member.

The discrete pads may be quadrilateral in shape including, but notlimited to, square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, rhombus andkite.

The discrete pads may be regular or irregular polygons. The discretepads may be concave or convex polygons.

The discrete pads may be six-sided polygons. Optionally the discretepads are six-sided concave polygons. Alternatively, the discrete padsare six-sided convex polygons. The six-sided polygons may bechevron-shaped.

Other polygonal shapes may be used such as, for example, heptagon,nonagon, decagon, undecagon and dodecagon.

Whilst the discrete pads may be polygonal in shape, it will beunderstood that in some embodiments the sides of the polygons may becurved or shaped in some way, provided that the overall shape of thepolygon is retained. For example, one or more of the sides could be awavy line.

In one embodiment, the discrete pads are chevron-shaped.

The discrete pads may be spaced apart in a tiled arrangement. The tiledarrangement may comprise a plurality of chevrons. The tiled arrangementmay comprise a plurality of convex and/or concave pentagons. The tiledarrangement may comprise one or more further polygons, the furtherpolygons shaped and sized to fit: a space between the plurality ofchevrons; a space between the plurality of convex and/or concavepentagons; and/or a space between the plurality of chevrons and theplurality of convex and/or concave pentagons; the one or more furtherpolygons remaining spaced apart from the plurality of chevrons and theplurality of convex and/or concave pentagons.

The one or more further polygons may be a quadrilateral, optionally asquare, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, rhombus or kite.

Conveniently, one or more resiliently deformable members may be arrangedor placed in an array extending substantially transverse a wearer's headin use, i.e. substantially in an ear-to-ear direction.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more resiliently deformablemembers may be arranged or placed in an array extending substantially ina forehead-to-neck direction.

Preferably or optionally, at least one first resiliently deformablemember is arranged to lie approximate or adjacent the frontal bone of awearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use. In this way, the hoodportion provides protection to a wearer's forehead in use.

The at least one first resiliently deformable member may comprise aplurality of discrete pads.

Optionally the at least one first resiliently deformable membercomprises one or more rows of discrete pads, typically one row ofdiscrete pads.

The discrete pads may be pentagonal, optionally convex pentagons.

The discrete pads may be arranged such that the space between thediscrete pads is similar or substantially the same.

Optionally one or more of the rows of pentagonal discrete padsterminates with one or more further discrete pads, the one or morefurther discrete pads being polygonal in shape.

Preferably or optionally, at least one second resiliently deformablemember is arranged to lie substantially along a plane extending betweenlocations approximate or adjacent the temporal bones on each side of thewearer's cranium. In this way, the hood portion provides protection tothe top of a wearer's head in use.

The at least one second resiliently deformable member may comprise aplurality of discrete pads.

Optionally the at least one second resiliently deformable membercomprises one or more rows of discrete pads, typically two rows ofdiscrete pads.

The discrete pads may be chevrons or chevron-shaped.

The at least one second resiliently deformable member may comprise twoor more rows of chevron-shaped discrete pads, typically two rows ofchevron-shaped discrete pads, the chevron-shaped discrete pads beingspaced apart in a tiled arrangement. The rows of chevron-shaped discretepads may be arranged such that alternate rows face substantially thesame direction. Alternatively the rows of chevron-shaped discrete padsmay be arranged such that alternate rows face substantially oppositedirections. In this way, in use the arrangement of alternate facingchevron-shaped discrete pads has a zig-zag arrangement of gaps betweenrows, rather than linear (straight-line) gaps. The advantage of having azig-zag arrangement of gaps, and of having opposite facingchevron-shaped discrete pads, is two-fold. Firstly, in use the zig-zagarrangement of gaps minimises the gaps between rows, the gaps beingpotentially smaller than the gaps between rows of similarly sized andspaced linear discrete pads. Secondly, the zig-zag arrangement of gapspotentially provides more protection against impact from objects, as inthe zig-zag arrangement the direction of the gaps changes frequently,thereby mitigating the possibility of an object penetrating the gapsbetween the discrete pads.

The discrete pads may be arranged such that the space between thediscrete pads is similar or substantially the same.

Optionally one or more of the rows of chevron-shaped discrete padsterminates with one or more further discrete pads, the one or morefurther discrete pads being polygonal in shape, optionally a concavepentagon and/or a quadrilateral.

Preferably or optionally, at least one third resiliently deformablemember is arranged to lie approximate or adjacent the occipital bone ofa wearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use. In this way, the hoodportion provides protection to the rear of a wearer's head and neck inuse.

The at least one third resiliently deformable member may comprise aplurality of discrete pads.

Optionally the at least one third resiliently deformable membercomprises one or more rows of discrete pads, typically three rows ofdiscrete pads.

The discrete pads may be chevrons or chevron-shaped.

The at least one third resiliently deformable member may comprise two ormore rows of chevron-shaped discrete pads, typically three rows ofchevron-shaped discrete pads, the chevron-shaped discrete pads beingspaced apart in a tiled arrangement. The rows of chevron-shaped discretepads may be arranged such that alternate rows face substantially thesame direction. Alternatively the rows of chevron-shaped discrete padsmay be arranged such that alternate rows face substantially oppositedirections.

The discrete pads may be arranged such that the space between thediscrete pads is similar or substantially the same.

Optionally one or more of the chevron-shaped rows of discrete padsterminates with one or more further discrete pads, the one or morefurther discrete pads being polygonal in shape, optionally a concavepentagon.

Preferably or optionally, the at least one second resiliently deformablemember arranged to lie substantially along a plane extending betweenlocations approximate or adjacent the temporal bones on each side of thewearer's cranium is of a length such that the resiliently deformablemember does not cover the wearer's ears in use. In this way, thepresence of the resiliently deformable members does not hinder awearer's hearing in use.

Preferably still or optionally, there may be provided furtherresiliently deformable members intermediate the at least one first,second and third resiliently deformable members.

The intermediate resiliently deformable member may comprise a pluralityof discrete pads.

Optionally the intermediate resiliently deformable member comprises oneor more rows of discrete pads.

The discrete pads may comprise a chevron-shaped discrete pad having apentagonal discrete pad located either side thereof.

The discrete pads may be arranged such that the space between thediscrete pads is similar or substantially the same.

Alternatively, resiliently deformable members may be arranged or placedin an array extending substantially transverse a wearer's head in use,i.e. substantially in a forehead-to-neck direction.

Preferably or optionally, the resiliently deformable members eachcomprise one or more strips, sections or patches of foam material.

It will be appreciated that ‘foam material’ encompasses any suitablematerial that has spongy, soft, resiliently compressible or shockabsorbing properties.

Advantageously or optionally, the foam material may comprise open orclosed cell foam material.

Preferably or optionally, the foam material is a closed cell material.

Preferably or optionally, each strip, section or patch of foam materialthat constitutes a deformable member is formed as a planar member havinga generally rectangular cross-section. In this way, each strip orsection or patch can be readily formed using conventional methods (forexample by extrusion or cutting from a larger sheet) without anyrequirement to form the member with contours, the final in-use shape orcurve of the foam strips being defined by the insert adapted forinsertion between the inner and outer layers of the hood and withinwhich the foam strips are held.

Conveniently, each resiliently deformable member may be formed from asingle piece of foam material, or may alternatively be comprise one ormore layers or pieces of foam material formed or bonded in a sandwich.In this way, the resiliently deformable members advantageously are moresusceptible to maintaining their shape and/or curvature in use.

Furthermore, the one or more layers of foam may each be formed fromfoams having different material properties. For example, a resilientlydeformable member may comprise a first foam layer having a differentdensity (e.g. a softer or harder foam) than a second foam layer, eitherof the first or second foam layers being arranged to lie adjacent thewearer's skull in use. In this way, the control of absorption of impactsto the head and shear forces to the hood is improved.

Conveniently, each resiliently deformable member may be of any suitablethickness.

Ideally, each resiliently deformable member has a thickness in the range2 mm-16 mm.

It will be appreciated that other suitable foams having differentdensities can be employed, or mixtures of various suitable foams can beused where appropriate to provide optimal impact protection for anydesired thickness of resiliently deformable member.

It will be appreciated also that the resiliently deformable members mayadditionally comprise further layers or strips of suitable materialadapted to provide impact protection and/or penetration protection. Suchlayers or strips may comprise plastics materials (rigid or flexible,hard or soft), Kevlar, carbon fibre or composites thereof.

The further layers or strips may comprise water-resistant and/orabrasion resistant materials. For example, the further layers or stripsmay comprise nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE),polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene(LDPE), and/or polypropylene (PP).

The further layers or strips may be located on an outward facing surfaceof the resiliently deformable members, optionally forming an outermostlayer.

The further layers or strips may be sized such that they are either ofthe same and/or of a smaller area than the outward facing surface of theresiliently deformable members. The further layers or strips maycomprise contoured edges where they contact the resiliently deformablemembers. Alternatively, the further layers or strips may be ofsubstantially uniform thickness, optionally having a chamfered edge.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an optional meansto releasably maintain a hood in a raised state.

In one embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the means toreleasably maintain a hood in a raised state comprises an adjustablelocking strap having a first strap member that attaches at one end tothe front in use end of the insert in accordance with the third aspectof the invention; and a second strap member that attaches at one end tothe rear in use end of said insert.

One end of the first strap member may comprise two or more branches, thetwo or more branches configured to attach to the front in use end of theinsert in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. The firststrap may comprise two branches, optionally in a Y-shape; or maycomprise three branches, optionally in a Y-shape having a middle branch.

Conveniently, one or more teeth provided on the second strap member arenormally biased by means of cross-members into mutual locking engagementwith one or more complementary teeth provided the first strap member,such that manually squeezing the first member in the vicinity of thecross-member(s) causes the complementary teeth of the first and secondstrap members to disengage thereby releasing the first and secondmembers into mutual sliding contact.

In this way, the adjustable locking strap can be selectively extendedand retracted by a wearer thereby raising and lowering the hood,respectively.

Conveniently, the adjustable locking strap is formed from a soft polymermaterial such that it does not impinge or damage the outer layer of thehood. Advantageously also, such an adjustable locking strap allows thegarment to be washed using conventional washing methods.

The soft polymer material of the adjustable locking strap may becomprised of polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE).

In an alternative embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, themeans to releasably maintain a hood in a raised state comprisesfastening means arranged at the front in use opening of the hood whichdraw and maintain the sides of said opening together. Examples of suchfastening means include, but are not limited to, buttons, drawstrings,poppers, or press studs.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is providedgarment comprising a hood in accordance with the embodiments of thefirst, second and/or third aspects of the invention.

In this way, the garment comprising a hood in accordance with any one ormore embodiments of the first, and/or second and/or third aspect of theinvention provides discreet protection from impacts to a wearer's headin use.

Conveniently, the garment may comprise any type of hooded garment, forexample, but not limited to: a hooded sweatshirt (commonly referred toas a “hoodie” or “hoody”); a hooded jacket; or a hooded baby-grow(commonly referred to as a baby “onesie”). It will be appreciated thatthe hooded garment may comprise a pull-over style garment, or maycomprise a vertical zipper arranged on the front of said garment.Similarly, the hooded garment may comprise sleeves, or may alternativelybe of sleeveless design. The hooded garment may be incorporated intoother clothing such as, for example, hooded overalls or boiler suit, ora hooded high visibility jacket.

Advantageously or optionally, the hood may be permanently or separablyaffixed to the garment.

Embodiments of the first and fourth aspects of the present invention maycomprise one or more features of the second and third aspect of thepresent invention where appropriate. Similarly, embodiments of thefourth aspect of the present invention may comprise on or more featuresof the first aspect of the present invention where appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are schematic first views of a garment having a hoodin accordance with the invention, the hood shown in a raised position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic second view of a garment having a hood inaccordance with the invention, the hood shown in a lowered position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of a hood in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the approximate location of aresiliently deformable members located above the ear of a wearer;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the resiliently deformable membersshown maintained in position within an insert in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing resiliently deformablemembers before insertion into an insert;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c are schematic illustrations showing exemplary inserttemplates in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d and 8 e are further schematic illustrations ofthe resiliently deformable members shown maintained in position withinan exemplary insert in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show a further exemplary arrangement of resilientlydeformable members within an insert;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a locking mechanism in accordancewith the invention shown attached to an insert;

FIGS. 11 a to 11 h are schematic detailed illustrations of the lockingmechanism of FIG. 10 in which FIGS. 11 a-11 d and FIGS. 11 e-11 h showfirst and second locking strap members, respectively;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an alternative locking mechanismin accordance with the invention shown on a garment with a hood;

FIGS. 13 a-13 d are further schematic illustrations of arrangements ofresiliently deformable members shown maintained in position withinexemplary inserts in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 14 a-14 c are further schematic illustration of resilientlydeformable members shown maintained in position on an insert inaccordance with the invention;

FIGS. 15 a-15 b are schematic detailed illustrations of the lockingmechanism of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an arrangement of resiliently deformablemembers shown maintained in position within exemplary inserts inaccordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 17 a-17 c are schematic illustrations of a discrete pad having afoam layer and a further layer or strip applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 a and 2, there is shown an exemplarygarment 1 having a hood 10 in accordance with a first aspect of theinvention. The hood comprises an outer layer 12 and an inner lining 14.It will be appreciated that the term “outer layer” refers to theexternal, outwardly visible surface 12 of the hood 10 when the hood israised, and the term “inner lining” refers to the inner surface 14 ofthe hood 10 which is immediately adjacent a wearer's head 20 when thehood 10 is raised.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b the hood 10 is shown in a raised position and inFIG. 2 hood 10 is shown in a lowered position.

Conveniently, the garment 1 may comprise any type of hooded garment, forexample, but not limited to: a hooded sweatshirt (commonly referred toas a “hoodie” or “hoody”); a hooded jacket; or a hooded baby-grow(commonly referred to as a baby “onesie”). It will be appreciated thatthe hooded garment may comprise a pull-over style garment, or maycomprise a vertical zipper arranged on the front of said garment.Similarly, the hooded garment may comprise sleeves, or may alternativelybe of sleeveless design. The hooded garment may be incorporated intoother clothing such as, for example, hooded overalls or boiler suit, ora hooded high visibility jacket.

Conveniently, a hood in accordance with the invention as describedherein may be formed integrally with a garment during construction, forexample where the same section or sections of material used to form thebody of the garment extend to form the hood portion of the garment, ormay be a formed as a separate part that is attachable to a garment usingany suitable or known means, for example by stitching, zipping,buttoning, clipping, or by attachment by hook and loop fastener.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the hood 10 issuitable for attachment to a garment, the hood comprising a plurality ofresiliently deformable members 30 arranged to extend substantiallyacross the cranium 20 of a wearer's head in use, the resilientlydeformable members being concealed from view in use.

In one embodiment, the resiliently deformable members 30 are eachaffixed directly to the inside of the hood.

In one embodiment, the hood 10 comprises an outer layer 12 and an innerlining 14, the resiliently deformable members being concealed from viewbetween the outer layer and inner lining of the hood.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided agarment 1 having hood portion 10 which further comprises a plurality ofresiliently deformable members arranged to extend substantially acrossthe cranium of a wearer's head in use, the resiliently deformablemembers being concealed from view between the outer layer and innerlining of the hood.

In this way, the hood 10 provides discreet protection to a wearer's headin use.

In one embodiment (not shown), the resiliently deformable members 30 maybe affixed directly to the hood portion 10 within the inner 14 and outerlayers 12 of the hood.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the resilientlydeformable members 30, 30 a-30 e are maintained within an insert 40 inaccordance with a second aspect of the invention, the insert 40 beingadapted for insertion between the inner 14 and outer 12 layers of thehood 10.

In normal use, the resiliently deformable members are not visible,however FIG. 3 provides a schematic cross-section illustration of a hood10 showing resiliently deformable member(s) 30 located within an insert40, the hood shown in a raised position.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, in accordance with the second aspect ofthe invention, the insert 40 adapted for insertion between the inner 14and outer layers 12 of hood 10 comprises first 41 and second 42 (visiblealso in FIG. 8 c) layers of material between which the resilientlydeformable members 30 a-30 e are maintained (FIG. 5), the insert 40being fixable within the inner and outer layers of the hood by stitchingor other suitable means (not shown). Preferably, the first 41 and second42 layers of the insert are formed from a lightweight fabric. Ideally,the fabric comprises a woven mesh fabric. It will be appreciated thatthe first 41 and second layers 42 of insert 40 are upper and lowerlayers, respectively.

Whilst the above embodiment has been described in relation to woven meshfabric, it will be appreciated that other suitable breathable fabrics asare known in the art can be used.

Referring to FIGS. 7 a-7 c, there is shown exemplary insert 40 templateswherein locations 31 for resiliently deformable members (not shown) areindicated by lines 43 which broadly indicate stitch lines along whichfirst 41 and second (not visible) layers of the insert 40 are stitchedtogether.

When the first and second layers of the insert fastened together in thisway, the resiliently deformable members 30 a-30 e are maintained withinthe insert as shown in FIG. 5. In one possible method of assembly, theresiliently deformable members 30 may be laid out on the second (lower)layer and the first (upper) layer laid on top and the layerssubsequently stitched together. Alternatively, the first and secondlayers of the insert 40 may be first fastened together to define aplurality of pockets, cells or dividers within which the resilientlydeformable 30 are subsequently inserted.

Advantageously, the curved nature of the stich lines 43 forces theresiliently deformable members to bend into a curved profile tosubstantially follow the curvature of the head.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the resiliently deformable members 30 a-30 eare be maintained in spaced apart relationship within an insert 40 suchthat the hood can be moved between a lowered position (FIG. 2) andraised position (FIG. 2), whereby the resiliently deformable members cannest together when the hood is lowered, and move apart to substantiallycover a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised.

When the hood is lowered and the resiliently deformable members nestingtogether, the resiliently deformable members provide enhanced protectionto a wearer's neck. It will be appreciated that the term ‘nest together’includes folding, overlapping or bunching together of the resilientlydeformable members when the hood is lowered.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably, at least one first resilientlydeformable member 30 a is arranged to lie approximate or adjacent thefrontal bone 51 (see FIG. 4) of a wearer's cranium when the hood israised in use. In this way, the hood portion into which the insert 40 isinserted provides protection to a wearer's forehead in use.

Ideally, at least one second resiliently deformable member 30 b, 30 c isarranged to lie across the top of a wearer's head in use, for examplesubstantially along a plane extending between locations approximate oradjacent the temporal bones 52 (see FIG. 4) on each side of the wearer'scranium. In this way, the hood portion provides protection to the top ofa wearer's head in use.

Ideally, at least one third resiliently deformable member 30 e isarranged to lie approximate or adjacent the occipital bone 53 (see FIG.5) of a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use. In this way,the hood portion provides protection to the rear of a wearer's head andneck in use.

As shown specifically in FIG. 4, the at least one second resilientlydeformable member 30 b, 30 c arranged to lie substantially along a planeextending between locations approximate or adjacent the temporal bones52 on each side of the wearer's cranium is of a length such that theresiliently deformable member does not cover the wearer's ears 54 inuse. In this way, the presence of the resiliently deformable membersdoes not hinder a wearer's hearing in use.

With reference to FIG. 5, further resiliently deformable members 30 b,30 d may be also be provided intermediate the at least one first, secondand third resiliently deformable members, respectively.

In an alternative arrangement, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 8 ato 8 e, the resiliently deformable members 30 may be arranged within aninsert 40 so that relative motion between the resiliently deformablemembers is limited such that a hood into which the insert is insertedhas a reduced scope for lowering (FIG. 8 e) in use. When lowered, a hoodhaving this arrangement provides significant protection to the head andneck.

In FIGS. 8 a to 8 e, a plurality of resiliently deformable members 30 fare shown arranged to extend in an ear-to-ear direction across the topof an insert 40 and a plurality of resiliently deformable members 30 gare arranged horizontally at a location corresponding to the rear of thehead in use.

FIGS. 13 a-13 d show exemplary alternative arrangements of resilientlydeformable members 30 f, 30 g within inserts 40 that enable a hood to beraised and lowered. The arrangement shown in FIG. 13 a is particularlysuitable for insertion into the hood of a garment for a small child ortoddler, whereas the arrangements shown in FIGS. 13 b, 13 c and 13 d areparticularly adapted for use in hoods suitable for larger persons suchas teenagers or adults.

It will be appreciated that resiliently deformable members may be alsoarranged in various different arrays within a hood or insert in orderprovide a hood that is maintained in a permanently raised state in use.For example, one or more resiliently deformable members 30 h may bearranged to extend substantially in a forehead-to-neck direction acrossthe top and back as shown by way of example in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b whichshow respective exterior and interior (underside) views of an exemplaryinsert 40. In this way, a hood with such an insert arrangement isparticularly suited for use with a garment for wearing by a person, forexample an infant or child, whereby the person's head is to be coveredat all times while wearing the garment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 13 d, the various resiliently deformable members30 are maintained within an insert 40 such that they take up a generallycurved profile which corresponds generally to the shape of a wearer'scranium.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 with specific reference toresiliently deformable members in the form of elongate members, theresiliently deformable members 30 comprise one or more strips of foammaterial. It will be appreciated that ‘foam material’ encompasses anysuitable material that has spongy, soft, resiliently compressible orshock absorbing properties. Advantageously, the foam material maycomprise open or closed cell foam material. Preferably, the foammaterial is a closed cell material. Examples of suitable closed foammaterial include polyethylene foams such as “Plastazote” LD45 or LD33.It will be appreciated that other suitable foams having differentdensities can be employed, or mixtures of various suitable foams can beused where appropriate to provide optimal impact protection for anydesired thickness of resiliently deformable member. It will beappreciated that the construction of resiliently deformable membersformed as other shapes such as discrete patches or pads 30 i, 30 j asshown in FIGS. 14 a-14 c and described below will be substantially thesame as elongate members described above.

Preferably, each strip of foam material 30 is formed as a planar memberhaving a generally rectangular cross-section. In this way, each stripcan be readily formed using conventional methods (for example byextrusion or cutting from a larger sheet) without any requirement toform the strip with contours, the final in-use shape or curve of thefoam strips being defined by the inserts within which they are held asdescribed previously.

Conveniently, each resiliently deformable member 30 may be formed from asingle strip of foam material as shown in FIG. 6, or may alternativelybe comprise or more layers of foam material formed or bonded in asandwich as shown in FIG. 4. When formed having two or more layers offoam as shown in FIG. 4 the resiliently deformable members areadvantageously more susceptible to maintaining their shape and/orcurvature in use. In this way, the layered structure helps maintain acurved profile and mitigates the tendency of the member to return to itsnatural, unbent profile. In this way, the resiliently deformable membersmaintain a curved shape within the hood and do not protrude outwards andotherwise ruining the external appearance of the hood.

Furthermore, the two or more layers of foam may each be formed fromfoams having different material properties. For example, a resilientlydeformable member may comprise a first foam layer having a differentdensity (e.g. a softer or harder foam) than a second foam layer, eitherof the first or second foam layers being arranged to lie adjacent thewearer's skull in use. In this way, the controlled of absorption ofimpacts to the head and shear forces to the hood is improved.

Conveniently, any suitable thickness of resiliently deformable membermay be used.

Ideally, each resiliently deformable member or strip has a thickness inthe range 2 mm-16 mm.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 a-17 b, there is show a resiliently deformablemember in the form of a discrete pad 30, and having a foam layer and afurther layer or strip 98 which is a water-resistant and/or abrasionresistant material. For example, the further layers or strip 98 may bepolyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), polyethylene, high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and/orpolypropylene (PP).

The further layer or strip 98 is located on an outward facing surface 99of the discrete pad 30, forming an outermost layer.

The further layer or strip 98 is sized such that they it is of a smallerarea than the outward facing surface of the discrete pad 30. The furtherlayer or strip comprises contoured edges 100 where they contact thediscrete pad 30. Alternatively, the further layer or strip 98 is ofsubstantially uniform thickness, having chamfered edges 102 where theycontact the discrete pad 30.

It will be appreciated that as described in FIGS. 17 a-17 b theresiliently deformable members may additionally comprise further layersor strips of suitable material adapted to provide impact protectionand/or penetration protection. Such layers or strips may compriseplastics materials (either rigid or flexible, hard or soft), Kevlar,carbon fibre or composites thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6, the ends of the resiliently deformable members maybe chamfered 32 to allow them to smoothly blend with the material of thehood into which they are inserted.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided optional means 60to releasably maintain a hood in a raised state.

While the resiliently deformable members described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 10 and FIGS. 13 a-13 d are described generally having theform of elongate members, it will be appreciated that the resilientlydeformable members may also be provided in the form of discrete patchesor pads 30 i, 30 j as shown by way of example only in FIGS. 14 a-14 c inwhich resiliently deformable members are shown located on exemplaryinserts 40.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any suitable shape of discreteelongate member, or any suitable shape of discrete pad, and anyarrangement, array or combination thereof may be employed within a hoodin order to achieve the function of substantially surrounding the headof a wearer in use and protecting or cushioning said head from impactsin accordance with the present invention

Suitable shapes of elongate member may include, but are not limited to,rectangular, planar, tubular or curved members. Similarly, suitableshapes of discrete pads may include, but are not limited to, circular,elliptical, polygonal (e.g. triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonaletc.), spherical, hemispherical, or domed. By way of example, pads 30 iand 30 j are shown in FIGS. 14 a and 14 b as octagons and circles,respectively. By way of example in FIG. 14 c, an exemplary insert 40 isshown having and array of elongate members 30 and pads 30 i, 30 j.

With reference to FIG. 16, in one embodiment there is provided anexemplary insert 40 having a plurality of discrete pads 30. A firstarrangement of discrete pads 30 is in a row 90 of convex pentagonaldiscrete pads 30 k is arranged to lie approximate or adjacent thefrontal bone of a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use. Inthis way, the hood portion provides protection to a wearer's forehead inuse.

Still with reference to FIG. 16, the exemplary insert 40 has a secondarrangement of discrete pads 30 in two rows 92 of chevron-shapeddiscrete pads 30 m, the rows 92 arranged to lie substantially along aplane extending between locations approximate or adjacent the temporalbones on each side of the wearer's cranium. In this way, the hoodportion provides protection to the top of a wearer's head in use. Thechevron-shaped discrete pads 30 m are spaced apart in a tiledarrangement. The rows 92 of chevron-shaped discrete pads 30 m arearranged such that alternate rows face substantially oppositedirections.

The rows 92 of chevron-shaped discrete pads 30 m terminate with furtherdiscrete pads 30 n, 30 p, the further discrete pads being a concavepentagon 30 p and a quadrilateral 30 n.

Again referring to FIG. 16, the exemplary insert 40 has a thirdarrangement of discrete pads 30 in three rows 94 of chevron-shapeddiscrete pads 30 q, the rows 94 arranged to lie approximate or adjacentthe occipital bone of a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use.In this way, the hood portion provides protection to the rear of awearer's head and neck in use. The chevron-shaped discrete pads 30 q arespaced apart in a tiled arrangement. The rows 94 of chevron-shapeddiscrete pads 30 q are arranged such that alternate rows facesubstantially the same direction.

The middle row of the rows 94 of chevron-shaped discrete pads 30 qterminates with a further discrete pad 30 r, the further discrete padbeing a concave pentagon 30 r.

Referring still to FIG. 16, the exemplary insert 40 has a furtherarrangement of discrete pads 30 in a row 96 of chevron and pentagonshaped discrete pads 30 q, the row 96 arranged to lie intermediate thesecond 92 and third 94 arrangements of discrete pads 30. The discretepads 30 in the further intermediate row 96 has a chevron-shaped discretepad 30 t having a pentagonal discrete pad 30 s located either sidethereof.

The discrete pads 30 are arranged such that the space between thediscrete pads 30 is similar or substantially the same.

The discrete pads 30 may be quadrilateral in shape including, but notlimited to, square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, rhombus andkite. The discrete pads 30 may be regular or irregular polygons. Thediscrete pads 30 may be concave or convex polygons. The discrete pads 30may be six-sided polygons, six-sided concave polygons, or six-sidedconvex polygons. The six-sided polygons may be chevron-shaped. Otherpolygonal shapes may be used such as, for example, heptagon, nonagon,decagon, undecagon and dodecagon.

Whilst the discrete pads 30 may be polygonal in shape, it will beunderstood that in some embodiments the sides of the polygons may becurved or shaped in some way, provided that the overall shape of thepolygon is retained. For example, one or more of the sides could be awavy line.

The discrete pads 30 may be spaced apart in a tiled arrangement. Thetiled arrangement may comprise a plurality of chevrons. The tiledarrangement may comprise a plurality of convex and/or concave pentagons.The tiled arrangement may comprise one or more further polygons, thefurther polygons shaped and sized to fit: a space between the pluralityof chevrons; a space between the plurality of convex and/or concavepentagons; and/or a space between the plurality of chevrons and theplurality of convex and/or concave pentagons; the one or more furtherpolygons remaining spaced apart from the plurality of chevrons and theplurality of convex and/or concave pentagons.

The one or more further polygons may be a quadrilateral, optionally asquare, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, rhombus or kite.

It will be appreciated also that a number of discrete pads may be placedadjacent one another to have the effect of an elongate member.

With reference to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 11 a-11 e, in one embodiment, ameans to releasably maintain a hood in a raised state comprises anadjustable locking strap 61 having a first strap member 63 that attachesat one end to the front in use end of an insert 40 (FIG. 10); and asecond strap member 64 that attaches at one end to the rear in use endof said insert. In use, one or more teeth 64 b (FIGS. 10, 11 h, 11 g),provided on the second strap member 64 are normally biased by means ofcross-members 63 b (FIGS. 10, 11 a, 11 c) of the first strap member 63into mutual locking engagement with one or more complementary teeth 63 aprovided the first strap member 63 (FIGS. 11 a, 11 c), whereby manuallysqueezing the first strap member 63 in the vicinity of thecross-member(s) 63 b causes the complementary teeth 63 a, 64 b of thefirst and second strap members to disengage thereby releasing the first63 and second 64 strap members into mutual sliding contact. In this way,the adjustable locking strap 61 can be selectively extended andretracted by a wearer thereby raising and lowering the hood 10,respectively.

Attachment of the first and second strap members 63 and 64 to an insertis by stitching via apertures 65 preformed in said strap members.

Conveniently, locking strap 61 is formed from a soft polymer materialsuch that it does not impinge or damage the outer layer of the hood inuse. Advantageously also, such a locking strap 61 allows the garment tobe washed using conventional washing methods. The soft polymer materialof the adjustable locking strap may be comprised of polyethylene, highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) and/or low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Referring to FIG. 12, in an alternative embodiment, a means toreleasably maintain a hood in a raised state comprises complementaryfastening means 70 arranged at the front in use opening 11 of the hood10 which draw and/or maintain the sides of said opening together,thereby tensioning the hood and preventing it from lowering. Examples ofsuch fastening means include, but are not limited to: buttons,drawstrings, poppers, or press studs.

With reference to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 15 a-15 b, in one embodiment, anadjustable locking strap 61 has a first strap member 63 having two (FIG.15 a) or three (FIG. 15 b) branches 66 a, 66 b, 66 c that attach at oneend to the front in use end of an insert 40 (FIG. 10). The two branches66 a, 66 b can be arranged in a Y-shape and the three branches 66 a, 66b, 66 c can be arranged in a Y-shape having a middle branch 66 c.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, the forms hereinbefore described beingmerely preferred or exemplary embodiments thereof.

1. A hood for a garment, the hood comprising a plurality of resilientlydeformable members arranged to lie substantially around the cranium of awearer's head when the hood is raised in use, the resiliently deformablemembers being concealed from view in use, wherein the resilientlydeformable members are in a spaced apart relationship such that the hoodcan be moved between a lowered position and raised position, whereby theresiliently deformable members nest together when the hood is lowered,and move apart to substantially cover a wearer's cranium when the hoodis raised; and wherein the resiliently deformable members are formedfrom a foam material.
 2. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1,wherein the resiliently deformable members are affixed to the inside ofthe hood.
 3. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein thehood comprises an outer layer and an inner lining, the resilientlydeformable members being provided in to the hood between the outer layerand inner lining of the hood. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. A hood for a garment asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable members aremaintained within an insert adapted for attachment to the interior ofthe hood
 7. (canceled)
 8. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 6,wherein the insert comprises first and second layers of material, andwherein said first and second layers of the material are fastenedtogether to define a plurality of pockets within which the resilientlydeformable members are maintained.
 9. A hood for a garment as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the first and second layers of the insert comprise awoven mesh fabric
 10. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 9,wherein the woven mesh fabric of the insert is arranged to extendsubstantially over the area of a wearer's cranium and ears in use.
 11. Ahood for a garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the resilientlydeformable members are maintained within the insert such that they takeup a generally curved profile which corresponds generally to the shapeof a wearer's cranium.
 12. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1,wherein one or more resiliently deformable members are in the form ofdiscrete elongate members.
 13. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim1, wherein one or more resiliently deformable members are in the form ofdiscrete pads or patches. 14-17. (canceled)
 18. A hood for a garment asclaimed in claim 1, wherein one or more resiliently deformable membersare arranged or placed in an array extending substantially transverse awearer's head in use.
 19. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1,wherein one or more resiliently deformable members are arranged toextend substantially in a forehead-to-neck direction.
 20. A hood for agarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one first resilientlydeformable member is arranged to lie approximate or adjacent the frontalbone of a wearer's cranium when the hood is raised in use. 21-23.(canceled)
 24. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one second resiliently deformable member is arranged to liesubstantially along a plane extending between locations approximate oradjacent the temporal bones on each side of the wearer's cranium. 25-29.(canceled)
 30. A hood for a garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one third resiliently deformable member is arranged to lieapproximate or adjacent the occipital bone of a wearer's cranium whenthe hood is raised in use. 31-35. (canceled)
 36. A hood for a garment asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each resiliently deformable member comprisesone or more strips or layers of foam material. 37-39. (canceled)
 40. Ahood for a garment as claimed in claim 36, wherein the resilientlydeformable member comprises a first foam layer having a differentdensity than a second foam layer.
 41. (canceled)
 42. A hood for agarment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformablemembers comprise further layers or strips of suitable material adaptedto provide impact protection and/or penetration protection, optionallylocated on an outward facing surface of the resiliently deformablemembers forming an outermost layer.
 43. A hood for a garment as claimedin claim 42, wherein the further layers or strips are sized such thatthey are of a smaller area than the outward facing surface of theresiliently deformable members. 44-50. (canceled)
 51. A garmentcomprising a hood in accordance with claim
 1. 52-54. (canceled)